Everything parents need to know about Introducing solid baby food !

Mother's breast milk is the best baby food, till the doctor decides when its good time to start babies with solid foods. The right time is not dependent on the baby's age but on the physical development of the baby. Some key pointers to note are

• When the baby sits with support and has good head control

• Weight is at least 14 pounds; healthy babies weigh 9 pounds when they are born.

• Continue to cry or be hungry after 6 to 8 breast feedings a day

Babies might have a new taste & texture once parents start feeding him solid baby foods & will soon start to open his mouth wide for the spoon. Babies might play or move the food up & down with his tongue, to help him swallow solids.

How to Start with solid baby food – The specifics ?

• The best introduction to solids foods is starting with single ingredient cereals

• Never give babies cereal mix directly, mix cereal with breast milk or formula, such that its tastes familiar to the babies.

• Use a spoon or clean finger to put the cereal on the baby's lips first such that she can use her sucking skills

• Keep feeding the baby with just one type of cereal for 3 to 5 days before starting off with a new one.

How to get to know that your baby likes the food or not?

Babies like everybody else might express or reject a taste if they are not comfortable, he might clench his lips or turn his head away. Persistence is the key to baby's acceptance of new baby foods. Most parents should be aware that starting good eating habits would help the baby choose healthy food down the road. Most baby foods come with a combination of fruits, vegetables & juices to help the baby get used to the taste.

How to get your little one the recommended percentage of iron?

• Feed your baby with 1 serving of dry cereal a day. Its approximately 50% of recommended value of iron

• Always consult with a doctor to start giving supplement filled cereal

• Vitamin C helps absorption of iron to babies' bodies, always mix orange juice with iron fortified supplements.

When should a parent introduce fruits & vegetables?

Once your baby has tried different varieties of cereals, its time for natural tastes. Baby natural foods are formulated to help baby learn to swallow solid food, most natural baby foods do not use any sugar, salt or preservatives. Babies should be introduced to natural foods once every week & not different varieties each day. The American academy of pediatrics recommends 100% natural or freshly squeezed fruit juice upto 6 ounces a day.

What is essential nutrition to babies?